Chemistry open book paper Essay

During radioactive decay, atoms of one element are changed into atoms of another element through the emission of alpha or beta particles from their unstable nuclei. With alpha decay the nucleus emits an alpha particle, which is essentially a helium nucleus; a group of two protons and two neutrons. It is a form of nuclear fission where the parent atom splits into two daughter products. The atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle and transforms (or ‘decays’) into an atom with a mass number 4 less and atomic number 2 less. For example: An alpha particle is the same as a helium-4 nucleus. Unlike beta decay, alpha decay is governed by the strong nuclear force. In beta decay, a neutron in the nucleus of an atom is converted into a proton and an electron. The electron is released as a beta particle. Below is the beta decay of Thorium to produce Protactinium. . In beta minus decay, the weak interaction converts a neutron into a proton while emitting an electron and an anti-neutrino. During beta-plus decay, a proton in an atom’s nucleus turns into a neutron, emitting a positron and a neutrino. Alpha rays can be blocked by a sheet of paper, shielding against beta rays needs a sheet of metal like aluminium. Nuclear fission differs from other forms of radioactive decay in that it can be harnessed and controlled via a chain reaction: free neutrons released by each fission event can trigger yet more events. Radioactive decay is spontaneous. Most nuclear fuels undergo spontaneous fission only very slowly. Nucleosynthesis in stars Hydrogen and helium are the most abundant elements in the universe. Elements heavier than lithium are all synthesized in stars. This first process of primordial nucleosynthesis may also be called nucleogenesis. In the Sun hydrogen is converted to helium in nuclear fusion reactions: 41H 4He + subatomic particles During the late stages of stellar evolution, massive stars burn helium to carbon, oxygen, silicon, sulphur, and iron. The production of small amounts of hydrogen and helium nuclei makes it possible for the star to synthesise most of the elements in the first three periods of the Periodic table. Two routes for the generation of lithium are: Route 1: 4He + 3H   7Li Route 2: 4He + 3He   7Be 7Be + electron 7Li The second route is interesting; this is because it is a form of electron capture. This is where the collision between an atom and an electron causes the proton to convert to a neutron and a neutrino is released. It is sometimes called inverse beta decay, the proton number and the structure of the nucleus is changed. Fission and Fusion Nuclear fission is the splitting of the nucleus of an atom into lighter nuclei often producing free neutrons and other smaller nuclei. The emission of these neutrons can cause further fission in other nuclei, thus producing a chain reaction. Fission of heavy elements is an exothermic reaction which can release large amounts of energy both as electromagnetic radiation and as kinetic energy of the fragments. Below is an example of nuclear fission, showing Uranium-235 splitting to create strontium-90 and xenon-143: Inside the reactor of an atomic power plant, Uranium atoms are split apart in a controlled chain reaction. This chain reaction gives off heat energy. This heat energy is used to boil water in the core of the reactor. So, instead of burning a fuel, nuclear power plants use the chain reaction of atoms splitting to change the energy of atoms into heat energy. This water from around the nuclear core is sent to another section of the power plant. Here, in the heat exchanger, it heats another set of pipes filled with water to make steam. The steam in this second set of pipes turns a turbine to generate electricity. Uranium-238 is used as a natural way to control the reaction due to the fact that it does not undergo fission. Two other mechanisms used for controlling the reaction are the graphite moderator and the control rods, which are made of boron coated steel. The neutrons that are produced when a nucleus splits are very fast moving; the graphite slows them down enough so that they cause fission reactions when they collide with Uranium-235 nuclei. The control rods which are made of Boron which absorb neutrons; they can be moved in and out of the reactor to control the rate of fission reactions. A typical absorption reaction is: Below is a cross section of the inside of a typical nuclear power plant: Notable advantages of fission include the fact that relatively little fuel is needed and the fuel is relatively inexpensive and available in trace amounts around the world. Also, it is not believed to contribute to global warming or other pollution effects associated with fossil fuel combustion. However, its major concerns include the possibility for a nuclear meltdown; an example could be the Chernobyl Disaster. Also, waste products can be used to manufacture weapons; waste from plutonium power stations remains dangerous for thousands of years. There is also high initial cost because the plant requires containment safeguards; even then, the power plants are still vulnerable from sabotage and attacks. Nuclear fusion is the process by which multiple atomic particles join together to form a heavier nucleus. It is accompanied by the release or absorption of energy. The fusion of two nuclei lighter than iron or nickel generally releases energy. Below is an example of a fusion reaction: Excess energy is released from the fusion reaction because of the lower binding energy of the helium nuclei compared to those in deuterium and tritium. The combined mass of the products is less than the mass of the reactants; the ‘lost’ mass is converted to energy, according to Einstein’s equation: E=mc2 For the below reaction to occur the particles need to form a high-density, super hot, ionized gas – plasma. 2H + 3H i 4He + 1n Tritium is produced by using lithium in the reactor, where neutrons from the deuterium-tritium reaction in the plasma will react with the lithium to produce more tritium: 6Li + 1n i 4He + 3H A way to control the plasma is to keep it away from the walls, which minimizes heat loss. To do this a tokamak is used. This device contains hot plasma in a doughnut shape within a vacuum vessel. Powerful magnetic fields created by large coils that run around the vessel keep the plasma away from the walls. Powerful electric currents heat the plasma as well as by microwaves that are directed into it and beams of fast neutron particles. Notable advantages to using nuclear fusion include the fact that there is significantly less chance of a fatal accident occurring than that of a fission reactor, because the fuel contained in the reaction chamber is only enough to sustain the reaction for about a minute. Also, Deuterium and tritium are virtually inexhaustible. Unlike fission reactors, whose waste remains dangerous for thousands of years, most of the radioactive material in a fusion reactor would remain dangerous for about 50-100 years. At present the disadvantage is merely the fact that scientists have not yet been able to contain a fusion reaction long enough for there to be a net energy gain. This is, in turn, causing many countries to phase out fusion research because of the failure to reach a breakthrough. Challenges to the future of fusion power stations The main challenge that scientists face is the growth of hydrocarbon films. Where plasma touches the walls, carbon tiles are eroded by deuterium and tritium ions, producing hydrocarbons. Further reactions result in the formation of reactive radicals, which combine with each other to form hydrocarbon films. These films cause problems because they trap the tritium and deuterium fuel ions in the walls of the device so that they are not circulating in the reacting plasma to produce any energy. Also if the film gets thicker, it begins to flake off, resulting in dust particles which can be absorbed into the plasma, affecting its purity and performance. Other issues include the potentially prohibitive costs of building, and the difficulties of repairing and maintaining the reaction vessel. This massive â€Å"blanket† of lithium and rare metals will degrade and become radioactive over time, requiring regular dismantling and replacement. No. Words – 357+368+294+145 = 1164 (excluding equations, titles, annotations and text in diagrams) – sorry! Sources http://www. answers. com/topic/nucleosynthesis? cat=technology – Nucleosynthesis http://helios. gsfc. nasa. gov/nucleo. html – Nucleosynthesis http://physics. bu. edu/py106/notes/RadioactiveDecay.html – Alpha and beta equations http://map. gsfc. nasa. gov/universe/bb_tests_ele. html – Nucleosynthesis http://chemed. chem. purdue. edu/genchem/topicreview/bp/ch23/modes. php. Alpha and Beta decay http://media. nasaexplores. com/lessons/01-060/images/Uran235. jpg – Fission of uranium-235 http://hyperphysics. phy-astr. gsu. edu/Hbase/nucene/fusion. html – Nuclear fusion http://www. iter-india. res. in/images/jet_tokamak. jpg. Tokamak image, Fig 5 http://www. newscientist. com/channel/fundamentals/dn8827-no-future-for-fusion-power-says-top-scientist. html – Problems for fusion power http://eazyvg. linuxoss.com/2007/08/21/fusion-is-the-future-choice-for-nuclear-power-generation/ – Fission and fusion diagrams, advantages and disadvantages of fission and fusion. Fig 1 and 3 http://www. physlink. com/Education/AskExperts/ae534. cfm – Bond energy per nucleon, Fig 5 Article 1 – Box 1 – pg3 Article 1 – Second paragraph under â€Å"Nuclear fission† – pg4-5 Article 1 – Box 2 – Used for finding out control mechanisms – pg6 Article 2 – Advantages of fusion power, ways it produces energy – pg8 Article 2 – Box 2 – Lithium generation and equations – pg9 Article 2 – Box 2 – Fusion reactions – pg10 Article 2 – Tokamak, problems facing scientists – pg10.

Marital Bliss

Have you ever sat down and thought about the evolution of marriage? If we take a quick look, It seems very unreal to say that marriage does and as changed over the last centuries. There was a time where married couples took the time to write love letters, there was a time where married couple took the time to go out. But as the world around us evolved, so did technology. As technology evolved, it became easier to do daily errands. But at the same time, it made us â€Å"lazar, which had an effect on those wow were married.No longer did marriage become meaningful. Nowadays everybody is focused on their phones and on looking at the ways other people live through social media. Being married in the 21st century often means having to deal with a vast majority of problems. With so many changes occurring around us constantly, it becomes hard to avoid the factors that affect us. Now, everyone seems to be focused on social media and about the life's of others rather than caring for each other . People are also sought up always being busy with work and errands.Another factor that affects marriage in the 21st century Is also the children, with ore and m ore marriages between people with different culture take place, It become very hard to raise a child If It the cultural aspects collapse. Yet, another reason why marriage In the 21 SST century doesn't work out s because people get married because they are afraid of being alone. Instead of marrying the ones they really love, they get engaged with the men they don't. USE SOURCE 2 Arguments begin to arise when couples no longer pay attention to each other.Often times the other partner begins to feel insecure about themselves or they may begin to question homeless if they are doing a good Job on being married. A new concept that has been introduced within marriage is called marital bliss. Marital bliss is the belief that marriages can be saved and worked out if they follow certain steps and rules in order to maintain happiness and peace. Like Renee Clouding Hanson, Ph. D. , said, If marriages are worked out together by both partners It will thrive but if not It will fall. 3) Certain ways to produce a marital bliss Is to have good communication, to listen to the partner, think It through before something Is said. The concept of marital bliss, Is n effective way of having a happy marriage, not only that but it can help save a marriages as well. Although this can be done, at the long run it depends f the married couple really want to be together or not. It is known relationships are not perfect and are not always effective. In life one is bound to have problems.Specifically, people have their differences and once they don't agree on something it builds a sense of inequalities and BLANK. It is said that problems are only meant to make two people stronger but for some other people, having arguments and inequalities destroy a relationship. Something that has been introduced to an engaged couple is prenuptial co ntracts. Prenuptial agreements Is defined as â€Å"a contract between two people who are about to marry regarding their respective property and support rights upon termination of the marriage by divorce or death, and sometimes regarding property rights during the marriage†. 1 Prenuptial agreement should definitely be allowed to consult upon marriage. As the had an agreement as to what will take place after the divorce, rather than having constant arguments. Thus this prenuptial agreement, is a good idea, it can also send message to married people that it is alright to become divorce if in fact they already have the aftermath settled. In reality, this prenuptial agreement should not affect a marriage if it is tee love that they have most each other.Should engaged couples be able to sign the prenuptial agreement? Yes they should because instead of people having a marital bliss, they should face reality and understand that not all marriages work out perfectly. And instead of hav ing a bigger problem once already divorced about the property, an agreement should be made before. If the love is real, then having sign the prenuptial agreement should not really affect the way the marriage works out. What is marital bliss?Becoming ignorant and not facing the real problems in front of you and conforming oneself with being happy. Should you experience inequality within a marriage? Inequality and arguments are something that should definitely be present in a marriage. Married people are not 100 percent the same, or share the same likes or dislikes and might even disagree in many things, so it is important to have inequalities with in a marriage and solve them after to only make the relationship stronger. What does it mean to choose a marriage partner in the 21st century?

Barbourofelis - Facts and Figures

Barbourofelis - Facts and Figures Name: Barbourofelis (Greek for Barbours cat); pronounced BAR-bore-oh-FEE-liss Habitat: Plains of North America Historical Epoch: Late Miocene (10-8 million years ago) Size and Weight: Up to six feet long and 250 pounds Diet: Meat Distinguishing Characteristics: Large size; long canine teeth; plantigrade posture About Barbourofelis The most notable of the barbourofelidsa family of prehistoric cats perched midway between the nimravids, or false saber-toothed cats, and the true saber-tooths of the felidae familyBarbourofelis was the only member of its breed to colonize late Miocene North America. This sleek, muscular predator possessed some of the largest canines of any saber-toothed cat, true or false, and it was correspondingly hefty, the largest species weighing in at about the size of a modern lion (though more heavily muscled). Intriguingly, Barbourofelis seems to have walked in a plantigrade fashion (that is, with its feet flat on the ground) rather than in a digitigrade fashion (on its toes), in this respect making it seem more like a bear than a cat! (Oddly enough, one of the contemporary animals that competed with Barbourofelis for prey was Amphicyon, the bear dog). Given its odd gait and enormous canines, how did Barbourofelis hunt? As far as we can tell, its strategy was similar to that of its later, heavier cousin Smilodon, aka the Saber-Toothed Tiger, which lived in Pleistocene North America. Like Smilodon, Barbourofelis whiled away its time in the low branches of trees, pouncing suddenly when a tasty bit of prey (like the prehistoric rhino Teleoceras and the prehistoric elephant Gomphotherium) approached. As it landed, it dug its sabers deep into the hide of its unfortunate victim, which (if it didnt die immediately) gradually bled to death as its assassin stalked close behind. (As with Smilodon, the sabers of Barbourfelis may occasionally have broken off in combat, which would have deadly consequences for both predator and prey.) Although there are four separate species of Barbourofelis, two are better known than the others. The slightly smaller B. loveorum (about 150 pounds) has been discovered as far afield as California, Oklahoma and especially Florida, while B. fricki, discovered in Nebraska and Nevada, was about 100 pounds heavier. One odd thing about B. loveorum, which is especially well represented in the fossil record, is that the juveniles apparently lacked fully functional saber teeth, which may (or may not) imply that newborns received a few years of tender parental care before venturing out alone into the wild. Telling against this parental-care hypothesis, though, is that Barbourofelis had a much smaller brain, relative to its body size, than modern big cats, and so may not have been capable of this kind of sophisticated social behavior.

The Constitution Essays (238 words) - Constitutional Law

The Constitution Essays (238 words) - Constitutional Law The Constitution The founders of America initially thought the primary role of the United States government was to chastise lawbreakers. The forefathers knew this could not be accomplished if one group held all power. The idea to divide the government into the following three branches was an incredible ingenious idea. The executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judicial branch were all designed in hopes of creating a fair government. There are many benefits from the separation of power, the executive branch has the power to execute the laws, the legislative branch has the power to make the laws and the judicial branch has the power to interpret the laws. Through the separation of power, no one assembly can hold all the power, since this would mean that one assembly would have endless power. So instead each branch has limited power. In actuality the three branches of government are not separate, but are intertwined in most ways. Each branch as its own role or power, but one branch cannot be enforced without involving or requiring the consent of all three branches. This system of shared power is known as checks and balances; however, one branch cannot function properly without the others. All of the checks and balances are counterproductive. Nevertheless, that is by blueprint rather than by mishap. By pressuring the three branches to be liable to others, no one branch can assume enough power to become overpowering.

Daniel OConnell - Biography of Irish Statesman

Daniel OConnell - Biography of Irish Statesman Daniel OConnell was an Irish patriot who came to exert enormous influence on the relationship between Ireland and its British rulers during the first half of the 19th century. OConnell, a gifted orator, and charismatic figure rallied the Irish people and helped secure some degree of civil rights for the long-oppressed Catholic population. Seeking reform and progress through legal means, OConnell was not really involved in the periodic Irish rebellions of the 19th century. Yet his arguments provided the inspiration for generations of Irish patriots. OConnells signature political achievement was the securing of Catholic Emancipation. His later Repeal Movement, which sought to repeal the Act of Union between Britain and Ireland, was ultimately unsuccessful. But his management of the campaign, which included Monster Meetings which drew hundreds of thousands of people, inspired Irish patriots for generations. It is impossible to overstate the importance of OConnell to Irish life in the 19th century. After his death, he became a venerated hero both in Ireland and among the Irish who had emigrated to America. In many Irish-American households of the 19th century, a lithograph of Daniel OConnell would hang in a prominent location. Childhood in Kerry O’Connell was born on August 6, 1775, in County Kerry, in the west of Ireland. His family was somewhat unusual in that while Catholic, they were considered members of the gentry, and they owned land. The family practiced an ancient tradition of â€Å"fosterage,† in which a child of wealthy parents would be raised in the household of a peasant family. This was said to make the child deal with hardships, and other advantages would be that the child would learn the Irish language as well as local traditions and folklore practices. In his later youth, an uncle nicknamed â€Å"Hunting Cap† O’Connell doted on young Daniel, and often took him hunting in the rough hills of Kerry. The hunters used hounds, but as the landscape was too rough for horses, the men and boys would have to run after the hounds. The sport was rough and could be dangerous, but young O’Connell loved it. Studies in Ireland and France Following classes taught by a local priest in Kerry, O’Connell was sent to a Catholic school in the city of Cork for two years. As a Catholic, he couldn’t enter the universities in England or Ireland at the time, so his family sent him and his younger brother Maurice to France for further studies. While in France, the French Revolution broke out. In 1793 O’Connell and his brother were forced to flee the violence. They made their way to London safely, but with little more than the clothes on their backs. The passing of Catholic Relief Acts in Ireland made it possible for O’Connell to study for the bar, and in the mid-1790s he studied at schools in London and Dublin. In 1798 O’Connell was admitted to the Irish bar. Radical Attitudes While a student, O’Connell read widely and absorbed current ideas of the Enlightenment, including such authors as Voltaire, Rousseau, and Thomas Paine. He later became friendly with the English philosopher Jeremy Bentham, an eccentric character known for advocating a philosophy of â€Å"utilitarianism.† While O’Connell remained a Catholic for the rest of his life, he also always thought of himself as a radical and a reformer. Revolution of 1798 A revolutionary fervor was sweeping Ireland in the late 1790s, and Irish intellectuals such as Wolfe Tone were dealing with the French in hopes that French involvement could lead to Ireland’s liberation from England. O’Connell, however, having escaped from France, was not inclined to align himself with groups seeking French aid. When the Irish countryside erupted in rebellions of the United Irishmen in the spring and summer of 1798, O’Connell was not directly involved. His allegiance was actually to the side of law and order, so in that sense, he sided with British rule. However, he later said that he wasn’t approving of the British rule of Ireland, but he felt that open revolt would be disastrous. The 1798 uprising was particularly bloody, and the butchery in Ireland hardened his opposition to violent revolution. Legal Career of Daniel OConnell Marrying a distant cousin in July 1802, O’Connell soon had a young family to support. And though his law practice was successful and constantly growing, he was also always in debt. As O’Connell became one of the most successful lawyers in Ireland, he was known for winning cases with his sharp wit and extensive knowledge of the law. In the 1820s O’Connell was deeply involved with the Catholic Association, which promoted the political interests of the Catholics in Ireland. The organization was funded by very small donations which any poor farmer could afford. Local priests often urged those in the peasant class to contribute and become involved, and the Catholic Association became a widespread political organization. Daniel OConnell Runs for Parliament In 1828, OConnell ran for a seat in the British Parliament as the member from County Clare, Ireland. This was controversial as he would be barred from taking his seat if he won, as he was Catholic and Members of Parliament were required to take a Protestant oath. OConnell, with the support of poor tenant farmers who often walked miles to vote for him, won the election. As a Catholic Emancipation bill had recently passed, due in large measure to agitation from the Catholic Association, OConnell was eventually able to take his seat. As might be expected, OConnell was a reformer in Parliament, and some called him by the nickname, The Agitator. His great goal was to repeal the Act of Union, the 1801 law which had dissolved the Irish Parliament and united Ireland with Great Britain. Much to his despair, he was never able to see Repeal become a reality. Monster Meetings In 1843, OConnell mounted a great campaign for Repeal of the Act of Union and held enormous gatherings, called Monster Meetings, across Ireland. Some of the rallies drew crowds of up to 100,000. The British authorities, of course, were greatly alarmed. In October 1843 OConnell planned a huge meeting in Dublin, which British troops were ordered to suppress. With his aversion to violence, OConnell canceled the meeting. Not only did he lose prestige with some followers, but the British arrested and jailed him for conspiracy against the government. Return to Parliament OConnell returned to his seat in Parliament just as the Great Famine ravaged Ireland. He gave a speech in the House of Commons urging aid for Ireland and was mocked by the British. In poor health, OConnell traveled to Europe in hopes of recuperating, and while en route to Rome he died in Genoa, Italy on May 15, 1847. He remained a great hero to the Irish people. A grand statue of OConnell was placed on the main street of Dublin, which was later renamed OConnell Street in his honor.

Reflection on couseling-interview skills Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Reflection on couseling-interview skills - Essay Example The observer's feedback at the end of the session led me to introspect. This is where I found my true learning during this activity, which would help me improve as a counsellor. Three aspects came to the fore: The counseling session provided me with an immersive experience of a real-life situation. I learnt that genuineness of purpose and reflecting on counselee issues with deep empathy is the key to effective counseling. The training video, "Building on Strengths" (Armstrong, 1994) highlights key concepts of family counseling from a systems approach perspective. The skills discussed in the video are of significant relevance for community based family workers. The core theme of the presentation is the importance of social and cultural context, while dealing with individuals and families. The main sections in the video include: "Building on Strengths" transforms the practitioner's role from diagnosing a family's dysfunction, to assisting families identify their goals and resources, and helping them learn skills of healthy self-reliance (Early & GlenMaye, 2000). The key success factors here are: Systems approach provides a framework for goal-directed partnership model of human services with focus on empowerment of client. ... The main sections in the video include: What is systems approach Externalizing problems Honoring people's stories "Building on Strengths" transforms the practitioner's role from diagnosing a family's dysfunction, to assisting families identify their goals and resources, and helping them learn skills of healthy self-reliance (Early & GlenMaye, 2000). The key success factors here are: Identifying goals Identifying root causes and understanding of current problems Identifying resources Collaborating between worker and client Empowerment of client Sustaining client's ability for self reliance. Systems approach provides a framework for goal-directed partnership model of human services with focus on empowerment of client. The video provides examples of contextualizing family dysfunctional experience and behavior, with the enveloping social, cultural, economic and regulatory systems. The dysfunctional behaviors are studied repeatedly to recognize underlying pattern and identify root causes. The video content specifically emphasized understanding and respecting varying beliefs, values, and family practices of different cultural, racial, and ethnic groups. Culturally relevant services and supports should be family-centered, family-driven, and strengths-based. The recommended responses should adopt least intrusive intervention possible and be need-driven; they should be relevant in the communities and neighborhoods where families live. The video depicts community focus and participatory styles, through activities such as, creating genograms and eco-maps. Genograms helps in identifying the immediate and extended family members, their interdependencies,

Rdms.group project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Rdms.group project - Essay Example The id fields, which will be used as unique field (i.e. primary key for the table), will be taken as AutoNumber data type so that it can automatically inserted for any new records in table. For AutoNumber data type, Long Integer field size is always taken (in Microsoft Office Access). For foreign key fields, Number data type with Long Integer field size will taken so that it can be easily linked with primary key fields. For name, description fields, we will take Text data type with field size 50 character. The 50-character size will be enough for storing student name, student type description and class name. The Student table will be linked with tables Student_Type. The Class_Registered table will be linked with two tables Student and Class_Type. The relationship between Student and Student_Type table will be One-To-Many (1:N). The relationship between Student and Class table will be Many-To-Many (M:N) and will be represented by two relationships: One-To-Many (1:N) relationship between Student and Class_Registered table and One-To-Many (1:N) relationship between Class_Type and Class_Registered